Tag Archives: zechariah

Rev 7:1 After his I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow on the earth, or on the sea, or upon any tree.

Now I read this and my mind recalls another passage in the Old Testament wherein is mention of the four winds of heaven.Zec 6:1 And again I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. Zec 6:2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; Zec 6:3 and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grizzled strong horses. Zec 6:4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord? Zec 6:5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four winds of heaven, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
This is what they did; Zech 6:7… Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth. This is a vision the God is speaking to Zechariah the prophet through. Scripture seems to indicate that it is these “winds” that are now “restrained” The Hebrew word used for winds is Ruach or wind or spirit. They might not be blowing winds and that kind of meteorological thing doesn’t seem to be what is spoken of here. In the Revelation the word sounds more meteorological. Strongs Greek #417 anemos From the base of (#109 aēr From aēmi (to breathe unconsciously, that is, respire; by analogy to blow); “air” (as naturally circumambient): – air. ); wind; (plural) by implication (the four) quarters (of the earth): – wind. So these winds are not Zechariah’s winds are they? Suffice to say, it will be quite stifling while what happens next is going on.

The next thing we see is interesting and there are many opinions on it. The seal mentioned in 7:2 is just that, a seal. Strongs Greek #4973 sphragis Probably strengthened from (5420 phrassō Apparently a strengthened form of the base of (5424 phrēn Probably from an obsolete phraō (to rein in or curb; compare( 5420 phrasso (see above)); the midrif (as a partition of the body), that is, (figuratively and by implication of sympathy) the feelings (or sensitive nature; by extension [also in the plural] the mind or cognitive faculties): – understanding.); to fence or inclose, that is, (specifically) to block up (figuratively to silence): – stop.); a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or figuratively: – seal.

Usually we think of a seal as a mark or a sign of authority but this seems to be a mark of protection and maybe even a means of preservation until the time for use has come. From the “sunrising” or anatole helios in the Greek. Some translations just say East, but it is the particular direction of from the “sunrising” which might typify where in the East the angel ascends. This just might thought also be a moot point. So from the East comes and angel bearing on his person the “sphragis” or seal of the Living God. Now that’s really impressive. We know we are sealed unto the day of our full redemption (bodily) by the Holy Spirit. But I gather this is a different seal.

Lastly let’s look at the fact that this overcoming rider is wearing a crown. What does a crown say? “I own and I rule!” The word crown here is: Strongs Greek # 4735 stephanos From an apparently primary “stepho” (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, G1238), literally or figuratively: – crown. “…A badge of royalty, a symbol of honor.”
Of course unlike the Lord of Glory this rider only has one. Remember he does not come in his own power but in that of another so he is but a symbol. A symbol that is believed in is effective enough sway the whole world. Now in my humble opinion because there is a literal Beast who rises up and has policy… oh that sounds like Daniel doesn’t it? In Zechariah we see chariots of colored and specified horses but not actual single horsed riders. However in Zechariah 6:1-5 in the fifth verse the identity of these chariots is disclosed. They are the “Four Winds of Heaven which go forth from standing before the LORD” They are not corporeal but rather spirits as it were. It would seem that this and the other three horsemen to follow are very much spiritual. You see it takes a spiritual thing to set up the mindset of a populace to overcome them in the physical. Back to the crown for one more moment. This rider is getting honor, and this book and its content are written to Believers, so why among believers would this character be honored, especially since he LIES and DECIEVES? Because someone else is no longer honored. Listen to this from Paul to the church in Rome.Rom 1:21 because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. … further more… Rom 1:25 for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Finally, Rom 1:28 And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;… God in their KNOWLEDGE, That word knowledge is this: Strongs Greek #1922 epignōsis, From (1921 epiginōskō From (1909 epi A primary preposition properly meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [with the genitive case], that is, over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.: – about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, [where-]) fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-) on (behalf of) over, (by, for) the space of, through (-out), (un-) to (-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).) and (1097 ginōskō A prolonged form of a primary verb; to “know” (absolutely), in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as shown at left, with others not thus clearly expressed): – allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) known (-ledge), perceive, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.); to know upon some mark, that is, recognise; by implication to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge: – (ac-, have, take) know (-ledge, well), perceive.); recognition, that is, (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement: – (ac-) knowledge (-ing, -ment).
In other words these are those who KNEW… which leads to this:

Heb 6:4 For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

Heb 6:5 and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come,

Heb 6:6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

These are the apostate, and because of them we have another enemy in the mix… God Himself. Here’s the point. Paul told us this would come to pass.

2Th 2:2 to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand;

2Th 2:3 let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,

2Th 2:4 he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.

2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

2Th 2:6 And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.

2Th 2:8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;

2Th 2:9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2Th 2:10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2Th 2:11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:

2Th 2:12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

2Th 2:14 whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Th 2:15 So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours.

2Th 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

2Th 2:17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Now look at this passage and tell me the one who opposes and exalts himself is not the same as the rider of seal one and the beast later on and even the false prophet for the one who forever exalts himself is the Cherub who once covered the Dragon the Serpent of Old the Accuser of the Brethren; Satan Himself.
He comes to overcome, overcoming as he comes because there is in place already a strong spirit of delusion from God against the apostate who are being judged along with the rest of the nonElect. You see like the fallen angel the apostate Christian has no room for repentance. The Non Elect are not considered as part of those who are God’s from the foundation.
All this is but one rider… there are more.